New Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona has opened doors for the team when it comes to talking to agents and players who are free agents.Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When it comes to making trades and signing free agents, there is talk -- and there is the kind of talk that gets things done.

Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti and his assistants have done plenty of the first kind of talk with agents and other teams since the end of the regular season. Antonetti hopes all that white noise turns into something productive this week at the winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn.

The Indians' needs have not changed since they finished fourth in the AL Central at 68-94 last season: starting pitching, left field, first base and designated hitter.

"We've been exceptionally busy regarding free agents and trades," said Antonetti. "Whether it culminates into something is hard to handicap. I would hope we could make some kind of deal this week."

The Indians have been in consistent contact with the agent for Kevin Youkilis. The Indians see Youkilis, 33, as a right-handed hitter who could help them at first base and DH. Youkilis ended last season with the White Sox, and they are interested in retaining him as their third baseman.

The free-agent outfield position is deep in talent, but not as deep as it once was. Torii Hunter, B.J. Upton, Jonny Gomes, Melky Cabrera and Juan Pierre are off the board. So is Denard Span, traded by the Twins to the Nationals.

The Indians have had conversations with the agents for outfielders Nick Swisher, Shane Victorino and Jason Bay, among others. It's hard to believe the Indians would pay Swisher enough to come to Cleveland, but he's a former Ohio State Buckeye and is said to have a high regard for new Tribe manager Terry Francona.

Francona, based on his success with Boston from 2004 to '11, has opened doors for the Indians when it comes to dealing with agents and free agents. He has been working the recruiting phones.

"I think Terry is very well-respected throughout the game," said Antonetti. "In talking to players and agents, they all know how he creates a quality environment for players to play in.

"It's an attractive component to have as players weigh their alternatives."

When Francona was hired, he made it clear he wanted to improve a ragged starting rotation. One name that has surfaced is right-hander Edwin Jackson, coming off a one-year, $11 million deal with the Nationals. Jackson, 29, went 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA in 31 starts last season. He struck out 168 batters and walked 58 in 189 innings.

Scott Boras is Jackson's agent, and that's a problem. Boras certainly didn't make any friends with the Tribe at the GM meetings when he questioned ownership's desire to field a winning club while he was discussing his client Shin-Soo Choo's future with the team. But Boras' opinion wasn't exactly breaking news to the Indians.

Two more starting pitchers who could interest the Indians became free agents Friday when they were non-tendered: Atlanta's Jair Jurrjens and Washington's John Lannan. Jurrjens was injured most of last season, while Lannan, a left-hander, spent most of last season in the minors. Another pitcher the Indians have an interest in is lefty Scott Kazmir, who pitched independent ball last year after being sidelined with injuries and control problems. He is pitching in the Dominican Republic.

The Indians have been in consistent contact with Roberto Hernandez, their former identity-troubled right-hander. Hernandez, according to his agents, has drawn considerable interest as a free agent.

Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, Jack Hannahan, Rafael Perez and Chris Seddon are the Indians' other free agents. Hannahan, Perez and Seddon were set free Friday when they were not offered contracts for 2013. Antonetti said he would like to re-sign them if they don't find employment elsewhere. Perez had left shoulder surgery in September after hardly pitching last season. It's still not clear if he will be ready for spring training.

Like Hernandez, the Indians have stayed in touch with Hafner's agents. They are finally out from under Hafner's monster contract for the first time since 2007, and it's hard to imagine they would re-sign him, but this is baseball and strange things happen every day. At the GM meetings, Sizemore's agents said their client intends to play in 2013. Sizemore's health, however, is still unknown.

It is clear the Indians aren't swimming in cash, so they're not going to win many free-agent bidding wars. Antonetti, however, said he has the ability and cash to sign a player to a multiyear deal. The Indians, who reportedly lost between $10 million and $11 million last season, are expected to open next season with a payroll close to last season's $65 million.

The Indians will arrive at the winter meetings with a two-pronged strategy. Not only are they negotiating with free agents, they have also opened their roster to trades. They have made it known that their best players -- Asdrubal Cabrera, Justin Masterson, Choo and Chris Perez -- are available for the right price. AL Central rival Detroit is one of the latest teams to show an interest in Cabrera, who has gone to the All-Star Game two straight seasons as the Tribe's shortstop.

In 2010, the Indians sent shortstop Jhonny Peralta to the Tigers in a salary dump. Peralta helped Detroit reach the World Series this year. Could the Tribe extend another shortstop favor to Motown?

The Indians signed two players Friday, claiming switch-hitting first baseman Mike McDade, 23, on waivers from Toronto, and signing right-hander Fernando Nieve, 30, to a minor-league deal with a spring-training invitation. Antonetti said McDade, who has options, will compete for playing time at first base and DH with Matt LaPorta, Russ Canzler and Lars Anderson in spring training.

"Our scouts have liked him for a while," said Antonetti.

Nieve, who can hit 96 mph with his fastball, will compete for a spot in the bullpen.

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